Actor Kirk Cameron reads his book “As You Grow” to an audience of children at the Indianapolis Public Library on Dec. 30, 2022. (Photo: Zach Bell/Brave Books)
Libraries in Arizona had censored local residents hosting Christian book readings following a request from a religious freedom law firm.
Andy Gould, Senior Counsel at First Liberty Institute, told the Daily Signal:
The Santanne Library in Pinal County, Arizona, has invited Ricardo Frias to reserve a space in the library on December 15 to read “As You Grow,” a book about “fruits of the spirit,” by Christian actor Kirk Cameron. I refused. The library cited “separation of church and state,” but its regulations allow community organizations to hold events.
“The denial of another public library has sparked another community revival,” Cameron told the Daily Signal. “As the Pilgrim Governor of Bradford famously said, ‘One little candle The light that was lit here lit many as the sun shines a thousand.’ God used the fearless faith and moral courage of Ricardo Frias as a candle to create another great torch of awakening. lighting up.In America.”
The First Liberty Institute sent a letter to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors on Monday, requesting that they reverse the library’s decision.
“The fact that Mr. Frias’s message concerns religion does not disqualify him from using your conference room,” the letter reads. “In fact, he has the right to exercise religion freely under the state and federal constitutions, thus reinforcing his case. , denying a forum to speak to religious speakers not only violates the religious speakers’ right to free speech, but also their right to free exercise.
Per library guidelines, nonprofits and community groups may use the conference room for events not sponsored by the county, as long as the group does not participate in sales deals or exceed noise limits.
“As You Grow” teaches traits that every child should learn, such as love, joy, peace and patience, Brave Books CEO and founder Trent Talbot told The Daily Signal.
“I am grateful that the library has stepped back and allowed me time for this story,” said Talbot. “This is a very nice book and every child should be allowed to read it.”
The San Tan library isn’t the first to ban Brave Books, according to Talbot. Last year, more than 50 public libraries declined or ignored requests for Brave Books’ “As You Grow” story hour with Cameron. Many of the libraries opened the doors to Drag His Queen His Story His Hour while rejecting Cameron’s Christian message.
“This incident is just fuel to continue the time movement of this story,” Talbot said.
Cameron said Frias inspired him.
“History is ‘his story’, full of plot twists, surprise endings and colorful characters. Ricardo Frias leads the way against seemingly overwhelming odds to overcome evil with good.” “He’s one of the good guys out there,” Cameron told the Daily Signal.
The County Library declined the Daily Signal’s request for comment.
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